The New Haven Chargers (4-4) went into Fairfield looking to bounce back against the Sacred Heart University (SHU) Pioneers after a tough loss the week prior. SHU (5-3) entered the matchup in a similar position, also coming off a defeat and trying to protect home turf as both teams pushed toward the postseason. With each side eager to get back in the win column, the first half delivered the kind of intensity expected.
New Haven opened strong in the first quarter, and moved the ball efficiently through the air behind quarterback AJ Duffy before settling for a 39-yard field goal from Liam Quigley to start the game with a 3-0 lead. The Chargers defense brought early pressure too, with a combined sack from Rikervin Encarnacion and Frederick Borkey to hold the Pioneers scoreless. New Haven controlled field position and tempo, heading into the second quarter on the front foot.
Sacred Heart flipped the script in the second quarter with its run game. Mitchell Summers powered the Pioneers down the field and punched in a six-yard touchdown which put SHU up, 7-3. The Chargers responded as Jalen Smith ripped off a 73-yard run to set up Jayden Shwed’s two-yard touchdown and retake the lead 10-7. But, the momentum slipped away late as a blocked punt and an interception set the Pioneers up with short fields. Summers scored again with 51 seconds remaining to give Sacred Heart a 14-10 advantage at halftime.
The Pioneers opened the third quarter with the ball and continued to test New Haven’s defense on the ground. The Chargers had an early stop, but the offense could not take advantage, and went three-and-out, which gave the Pioneers another chance to extend their lead.
A deep connection to Dean Hangey and a costly unsportsmanlike penalty on New Haven set up Sacred Heart inside the 10, where Chuck Webb powered in a 10-yard touchdown to advance the lead to 21-10. New Haven later pushed across midfield with a big gain by Brian Thomas Jr., but a turnover on downs stalled the drive, and the Chargers entered the fourth quarter still searching for answers.
The Pioneers seized full control early in the fourth as Jack Snyder found Hangey for a 43-yard touchdown to make it 28-10. The Chargers chipped back into the game with a 29-yard field goal from Quigley, but Sacred Heart quickly responded with a bruising drive and another back-breaking play. This time, a 34-yard touchdown run from Snyder that grew the lead to 35-13 with just over three minutes left.
New Haven continued to fight and Duffy marched the offense down the field with completions to Isaac Glaudin and Evan Chieca before connecting with Kevonne Wilder for a 20-yard touchdown strike that cut the deficit to 35-20. The onside kick attempt did not travel the required distance, which brought Sacred Heart to close the game out in victory formation.
After the loss, New Haven is now 4-5 overall. For their final regular game of the season, the Chargers will host the Merrimack College Warriors on Saturday for their senior recognition game. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium. For more information on New Haven football, visit NewHavenChargers.com.
